Tuesday, November 15, 2016

I am a lucky and savvy Tube of Fur. Here are some of my favorite places where I hike, nap, and snorfle.

The woods in Idaho with my fur-brother Truffle (RIP).

The shores of the Ligurian Sea.

The shores of the Pacific Ocean.

The shores of Lake Pend'Oreille, Idaho.

And let's not forget the mountains. The Alps!

How we love to hike.

But now the world has gone upside down.

Because the USA has elected a man with no morality and no compulsion about lying. We've been told that Trump says what needs saying and that he doesn't mean what he says. But words matter. You don't get it both ways. Those who think they can define his meaning as it suits them have been scammed.

Trump denies that global climate change is an urgent threat to civilization. The Paris accords are dead. This is what the USA has unleashed. This is what the USA has done to the world.

My new anthem.

There is no silver lining to this election. Here's what you can do now:

Consider making a donation to 350.org -- on behalf of climate change. (One example, the most common sentiment to my mom in Switzerland: "What has America done? This affects us all." On the other hand, we have talked to Europeans who think the American elections do not affect them; they are mistaken.)

Consider making a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center -- on behalf of our sisters and brothers so at risk in America. (Two personal examples from this past weekend -- one friend's daughter had hate speech written on her apartment and her car, and another friend had hate speech written on her campus organization's door with flyers distributed across campus.)

Thursday, October 13, 2016

We're so excited to welcome my doggy-godson Bertie & his human Gail for a visit. They're traveling all the way from Scotland, via train, ferry, and train. (Years ago, we all met online through our doggy blogs; how pawfect is that?) Welcome to Switzerland, friends! Read about Bouncing Bertie's trip here.

It's great timing for a visit because Mom's been super homesick since leaving the United States. Though, wow, how can she be homesick when the US election seem endless and exhausting and weird? To make us feel extra lucky (and put life in perspective), Dachshund Daddy took us hiking in the French Maritime Alps last weekend. If you look closely at this Alpine Family Selfie, you'll see I'm giving Mom a French kiss.

The next photo shows the wonderful signs to alert you to guardian dogs guarding their flocks.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

CHENNAI, India (AP) -- A number of angry dogs staged an impromptu protest against Dachshund Daddy's inappropriate attire at Palavakkam Beach in southern Chennai, India early last week. Dachshund Daddy was walking along the ocean with his feet in the water when one dog started barking at him for no apparent reason.

Soon enough, another dog followed suit. Shortly thereafter, several canine bystanders joined in.

A seemingly endless doggy supply resulted in a full-scale barkofest with over ten participants within the first minute.

Fearing a close encounter with canines, DD sought to avoid confrontation by walking farther out into the ocean. He was already in knee-deep waters when two young women yelled at him that he needed to take off his wide brim sun hat.

DD complied, and his canine suitors (over twenty of them by this point) instantly lost interest and returned to their regular doggy pursuits.

DD thanked the two women profusely. One of them was wearing a traditional hindu dress, while the other one was wearing a hijab, proving that when different religions coexist, good things are bound to happen.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Today we're taking you to the beaches of Chennai, on the east coast of India. Dachshund Daddy was recently there on a business trip, and had the opportunity to go for a long walk on the beach and photograph some of its doggy residents. Be sure to look below the boat.

Chennai has a very large stray population, but most dogs look very healthy and happy, especially the ones who live on the beach.

They mostly sleep and stare at the ocean during the day, and hunt in packs at night, which is why they need to rest during the day.

Many of them dig holes in the sand to keep cool in the extreme heat and humidity.

They also enjoy the ocean breeze.

At some point during his beach walk, a number of dogs got mad at DD for (apparently) no reason at all. We'll tell you all about it next time :)